[Objective] To study the relieving effects and potential mechanisms of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum DY6 and the soybean meal fermented with this strain on constipation in mice and to develop non-toxic feed additives with probiotic potential. [Methods] Constipation was induced in male BALB/c mice by gavege of loperamide hydrochloride. The modeled mice underwent long-term feeding with the soybean meal fermented with DY6 or gavage with DY6 suspension. Linaclotide served as the positive control. We then systematically assessed the effects of fermented soybean meal on intestinal functions, immune factors, metabolic profiles, and gut microbiota in constipated mice. [Results] Compared with the model group, long-term intake of the soybean meal fermented with DY6 increased fecal moisture content and intestinal motility (P<0.05), ameliorated goblet cell reduction and lymphocyte aggregation in the colon tissue, lowered the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and vasoactive intestinal peptide (P<0.05), and elevated the fecal levels of acetic acid and butyric acid (P<0.01). The fermented soybean meal modulated the gut microbiota structure. Specifically, the significantly enriched probiotics Odoribacter and Blautia were positively correlated with indicators of relieving constipation, while the significantly reduced pathogenic bacteria Helicobacter and Colidextribacter were negatively correlated with indicators of relieving constipation. [Conclusion] The soybean meal fermented with DY6 alleviates constipation by modulating the gut microbiota structure and metabolic profiles, restoring intestinal electrolyte homeostasis, and suppressing inflammation-associated signaling pathways. This intervention establishes novel applications and a theoretical framework for developing functional biological feed additives capable of both preventing and managing constipation in animals.
| 科 Family | 属数 Number of genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) | 属 Genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 鹅膏菌科Amanitaceae | 2 | 11 | 5.26 | 鹅膏菌属 Amanita | 10 | 4.78 |
| 小菇科 Mycenaceae | 2 | 12 | 5.74 | 丝盖伞属 Inocybe | 5 | 2.39 |
| 多孔菌科 Polyporaceae | 8 | 14 | 6.70 | 蜡蘑属 Laccaria | 5 | 2.39 |
| 红菇科 Russulaceae | 3 | 23 | 11.00 | 小皮伞属 Marasmius | 6 | 2.87 |
| 小菇属 Mycena | 11 | 5.26 | ||||
| 光柄菇属 Pluteus | 5 | 2.39 | ||||
| 红菇属 Russula | 17 | 8.13 | ||||
| 栓菌属 Trametes | 5 | 2.39 |